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What is Berklee Online?

Berklee Online is the online school of Berklee College of Music, delivering access to Berklee’s acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world. We are the world’s largest online music school—30,000+ musicians from more than 140 countries have taken our courses—but classes never have more than 20 students per section.

Our programs provide lifelong learning opportunities to people interested in music and working in the music industry. The courses range from beginner to advanced graduate level

What kind of subjects are taught?

Hundreds of study options are available in subjects including songwriting, music production, music business, music theory, guitar, voice, arranging, harmony, ear training, electronic music production, bass, keyboard, drums, contemporary writing, and more.

Do online students receive the benefits of an on-campus Berklee education?

Absolutely! Just like the students studying on Berklee’s campus, Berklee Online students receive instruction from the same world-renowned faculty, guidance from Berklee-trained academic advisors, and the opportunity to walk at Commencement.

Admissions

What is the process to apply for/enroll in a Berklee Online program or course?

Certificate programs and online courses are offered on an open enrollment basis. Simply complete the online enrollment form and provide payment prior to the course start date and you’re ready to go! Degree programs require an application and supporting documentation. See the Admission Requirements for more details.

Will I receive a Berklee ID and/or email address?

Berklee Online degree students are eligible to request a Berklee ID. Upon acceptance into the program, degree students are also given a berklee.edu email address.

Courses

Can I take non-credit courses in a certificate?

All courses in a certificate program must be taken for credit.

Can I waive some for-credit courses into a certificate?

Students must enroll in a certificate by paying the $175 certificate registration fee prior to completing the final course in the program. All for-credit courses that have been awarded a passing grade and that align with a certificate program may transfer into that program.

Can I upgrade from a lower-level certificate to a higher-level certificate?

Yes! Berklee Online offers two certificate options:

CHANGE CERTIFICATE: When a student wants to change their lower-level certificate to a higher-level certificate (or vice versa) prior to the completion of the program. There are no additional fees for this option other than the cost of additional courses, and you will only earn one certificate upon completion.

STARTING A NEW CERTIFICATE: When a student wants to earn more than one certificate by having the courses from their lower-level certificate waived into a higher-level certificate. In this case, an additional $175 registration fee is required.

Faculty

Who teaches Berklee Online courses?

Berklee faculty and seasoned professionals teach our courses. Our instructors are recognized experts in their respective fields—they’ve produced and engineered hundreds of artists and numerous award-winning projects, and several of their students have gone on to earn GRAMMY Award nominations.

Financial Aid

Am I eligible for financial aid?

Financial assistance is available for Berklee Online degree programs. This assistance may come from a variety of sources including federal awards, outside scholarships, and private loans.

Federal financial aid is not available for non-degree programs. Non-degree students typically finance their costs out-of-pocket or with a private loan. Review our payment options.

Graduation

What happens if I turn in my graduation application late? Do I still need to apply by December 1 even if I don’t want to walk in the Commencement ceremony?

Because we must coordinate with the Boston campus for Commencement, it is essential that students planning to walk in the ceremony submit their graduation application by 12:00 midnight ET on December 1. If you submit your application late, you will need to wait until the following year to walk.

We ask all students planning to graduate within the current academic year to apply for graduation by December 1, regardless of their plans to participate in Commencement. Late application for students who do not wish to walk will result in processing delays for your academic record and diploma, and your name may not be listed in the ceremony program.

What’s the difference between graduating and walking in Commencement?

Great question! Walking in Commencement and graduating are two separate things.

You can walk in Commencement when you are nine (9) credits or less away from completing your degree requirements by the end of the spring term. Please note: Berklee Online degree students are not required to walk in Commencement in Boston.

You graduate when you have met all of the following criteria:

Attained at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA in concentrate courses

Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00

Fulfilled all program requirements AND completed a minimum of 120 credits for a single major or 165 for a dual major

Completed a minimum of 60 institutional credits for a single major or 105 institutional credits for a dual major

Fulfilled all financial obligations to the college

Note Walking across the stage in Commencement does not mean that you have graduated. You will not officially graduate and receive your diploma until you meet all of the eligibility requirements.

I just finished my last term at Berklee Online! What happens next? Is there anything I need to do?

Congratulations on finishing! If you have already filled out a graduation application, you will want to double-check the "Graduation Checklist" to ensure you have taken care of all of the various items associated with graduating. If you have not filled out a graduation application, you will need to do that as soon as possible. You will not be able to graduate until we have received and processed your graduation application.

When will I get my diploma?

You will receive your diploma within 6-8 weeks of completing your degree requirements. Please keep in mind that instructors have up to two (2) weeks to submit final grades after the term concludes.

Diplomas are mailed to the address you include on your graduation application. If your mailing address changes after you have submitted your graduation application, be sure to update us at graduation@online.berklee.edu.

Keep in mind that if you are walking in Commencement, you will not receive your official diploma at the ceremony.

Transfer Credits

Can I find out how many transfer credits I am eligible for before I apply to the degree program?

If you are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree program and would like an estimate of the amount of transfer credit you would receive, you can request an unofficial transfer evaluation by emailing a copy of your transcript(s) to the Berklee Online Transfer Team at transfer@online.berklee.edu. Be sure to include your name, major of interest, and any additional questions you may have. You can expect to receive your assessment within 7-10 business days.

I didn’t receive credit on my Official Evaluation for all of the courses that I thought I would. What should I do?

The earlier you contact us with questions or concerns regarding your evaluation, the easier it will be for us to address any issues. Therefore, it is very important when you first receive your official transfer evaluation that you review the information carefully.

If you notice a remaining requirement that you believe you’ve already fulfilled, first consult our document on Common Reasons Credit Does Not Transfer. It’s possible that the course you are thinking of didn’t meet our eligibility requirements.

If none of those exclusions apply, please fill out a Transfer Credit Equivalency Re-evaluation form for the courses you wish to have reconsidered.

Sometimes, we are not able to locate specific information for a course online and we are not able to determine an equivalency, but we are always happy to review additional material which will help us make that determination.

No, credits completed at Berklee or through the prior learning process do not count towards the 60 transfer credit limit. This maximum is for credit-bearing exams and undergraduate-level coursework completed externally.

What is a credit deficiency and why do I need to make up credit?

Credit deficiencies are caused by transferring a course that is less than three (3) credits to fulfill a three (3) credit Berklee Online requirement. Students with a credit deficiency will be short of the minimum number of credits required to graduate once they have completed their program requirements. In order to be eligible to graduate, you will need to make up the credits you are deficient in.

While the Transfer Team does their best to avoid giving students credit deficiencies, it is not always possible. You can make up the credits you are deficient in by completing additional Berklee Online coursework, by applying for prior learning credit, or by completing additional external coursework in the area in which you are deficient.

Note all external courses will first need to be approved by the Transfer Team.

Can transfer credit fulfill prerequisites?

It depends. Generally, transfer credit cannot be used to fulfill prerequisites unless we determine that the course you completed is a direct equivalent to one of the courses we offer at Berklee Online. Keep in mind that there are some courses which require you to pass a placement exam. For these you will need to achieve a passing grade on the test to fulfill the prerequisite, otherwise you will need to complete the appropriate Berklee Online course.

Can I transfer credits to Berklee Online after I have started the degree program?

Yes, you can. To determine if the coursework you already completed or are considering taking is eligible to fulfill your remaining degree requirements, contact the Transfer Team at transfer@online.berklee.edu.

I am a Berklee campus student. Can I transfer courses from Berklee Online to my campus-based program?

Berklee Online is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the same association that accredits our main campus and other leading academic institutions such as Harvard University and MIT. Our courses are transferable to other institutions, but it's up to the receiving institution to decide the number and types of courses that may transfer. We recommend getting a course pre-approved by an institution before enrolling.

Tuition

How do Berklee Online’s costs compare to other education options?

Berklee Online’s programs have a tuition cost that is approximately 64 percent less than on-campus tuition at Berklee’s Boston campus. Moreover, a recent study revealed that the average annual tuition at for-profit colleges is more than twice as expensive as Berklee Online. Even average annual tuition at other accredited non-profit online universities is roughly $11,000 more expensive than tuition for a year with Berklee Online!

There is a one time $175 registration fee per certificate program. Students may either pay per course term (at the $1,497 per credit course cost) or pay in full to receive a 10 percent discount. The registration fee and all courses for the term you wish to begin in must be paid in full in order to begin.

Online undergraduate degree tuition is $59,160 for 120 credits for all majors except the guitar major. Tuition for the guitar major is $63,660. Students taking 10 courses per year can complete the degree in four years at a cost of $14,790 per year. (Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.)

Online graduate degree tuition is $33,120 for 36 credits. The Master of Music in Music Production and Master of Arts in Music Business programs are designed to be completed in one year of study. Both programs are comprised of 12 three-credit courses that can be taken during four 12-week semesters.

What is included in the cost of a course?

The cost for an individual course includes the tuition fee. The cost of required books, hardware or software must be purchased separately, unless it is stated that these costs are included with your enrollment. Some courses may include additional fees for files or content.

This program culminates in in-depth training on Live components such as Operator, Sampler, Analog, Tension, and Electric. You'll gain the chops to bring to life your most creative musical ideas, both in the studio, and onstage!

Required Courses

In this advanced certificate program, Berklee’s incomparable music production faculty will guide you through the art of mixing, the most effective microphone and audio mastering techniques, best practices for vocal production, and creative music production skills.

Whether you're a current artist manager looking to sharpen your skills, an aspiring artist manager, or a manager for yourself or your band, this program will cover all the key areas of the music business that require your thorough understanding, such as licensing, touring, finance, marketing, and music business trends and strategies.

Required Courses

Whether you’re inspired by Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Les Claypool, Geddy Lee, or any number of other great bassists, the commonality between them is their mastery of the performance skills and concepts taught in this program, including time, harmony, tonality, timbre, taste, scales, groove, and compositional techniques like tritones, pedal points, and double stops.

Required Courses

With the help of ace members of Berklee’s guitar department you’ll build a vocabulary of chords and scales, master blues techniques like bottleneck slide and fingerpicked melodies, and explore your own personal sound. Upon completion, you’ll have all the rhythms, riffs, licks, leads, and solos you need to really play the blues.

Required Courses

You'll study the classics as well as cutting edge contemporary films, and learn to compose and orchestrate the types of scores that will both complement the visuals and elicit strong emotions from viewers.

As a music producer, your job is ensure your production creates a strong emotional impact. By exploring the intersection where technical skills and creative ideas meet, this program will give you the tools and knowledge you need to produce recordings that convey your vision. You'll also explore innovative editing techniques and vocal production, and put these lessons to use by creating contemporary and commercially viable recordings.

Focusing on rock, funk, and R&B settings, this program will advance your skills in these areas, starting with the basics of musicianship and technique and concluding with forays into advanced improvisation.

Required Courses

Whether you are a performing electronic musician with recording experience or a newcomer looking to fill in gaps in your knowledge, this program meets you where you are and helps you raise your game to the next level.

By the program’s end, you will have developed solid foundation of sound production and engineering skills that will prepare you to work at a game development company or as a freelance game audio professional.

Required Courses

This customizable program offering provides you with the flexibility to earn an Advanced Professional Certificate in General Music Studies by choosing eight undergraduate courses from any interest area.

Required Courses

Choose eight undergraduate-level courses in any interest area from our course catalog.

Required Courses

From rock to jazz or folk to metal, what separates the great guitarists from the rest is their mastery of the skills taught in this program. From basics like chords and scales to nuances like improvisation techniques, form, control, and inflection, this certificate program will take your guitar playing to the next level.

Required Courses

Beginning with guitar basics like chords and scales and moving on to nuances like improvisation techniques, form, control, and inflection, this Professional Certificate Program will take your guitar playing to the next level.

Required Courses

Jazz guitar greats like John Scofield and Pat Metheny launched their careers at Berklee, learning the same core fundamentals presented in this certificate program, including scales, chords, melodic tension, and improvisation.

This program will give you the hands-on experience you need to hone your skills as a professional mixing and mastering engineer. You'll learn advanced mixing and mastering techniques in a variety of genres, focusing on producing recordings for various formats, including vinyl, streaming platforms, as well as film, television, and related media.

Required Courses

With a Berklee music business certificate, you will gain more than a credential that offers you an edge over the competition; you will be best positioned to forge ahead as a trailblazer in the music business models of the future.

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful entrepreneur in the music business. In this program you'll take an in-depth look at business finance, exploring financial calculations, money markets, as well as traditional and non-traditional ways to fund music. You'll also practice working with music industry data to make informed decisions and implement business strategies. Finally, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how to be an effective leader.

Required Courses

Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a business plan, an enterprising musician, or somewhere between, the Music Business Fundamentals Professional Certificate Program is designed to turn your music industry aspirations into realities.

In this program, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how music business law and policy influence revenue streams in the music industry. You’ll learn how everyone in the industry gets paid, from musicians to managers, to entrepreneurs, and perhaps more importantly, you’ll learn how to make sure that whatever professional path you choose, you get paid. You'll also examine contracts, copyright ownership, and new revenue streams while analyzing the legal implications of these facets through in-depth industry case studies.

Required Courses

Become a music business management and marketing expert. This program is all about mastering marketing philosophy through hands-on experience, creating marketing campaigns, using professional marketing tools, and developing brand partnership strategies. You'll also learn how to apply these marketing skills to develop an artist and build their fanbase, providing you with the tools you'll need to be a successful artist manager.

Berklee’s incomparable music production faculty present this detailed certificate program to guide you in this work, from concept to completed, mastered recording. Bridging theory and practice, you’ll learn the art and the science of producing great music on any digital audio workstation (DAW).

Required Courses

In this program, you'll explore how the human ear perceives and interprets sounds and learn how to practically apply this knowledge to design a professional-level music production environment. You'll also hone your listening skills by analyzing various genres of music and uncovering the music production techniques used to achieve sonic hallmarks of different musical styles, giving you the tools to further your career as a versatile music producer.

In this certificate program, you’ll learn all of this and develop a portfolio along the way, working with Berklee’s renowned music production and engineering faculty and collaborating with musicians and producers from all over the world.

Berklee alumni in the music industry often note that their mastery of Pro Tools has opened doors for them. Avid’s Pro Tools is the industry-standard audio production platform, and Berklee Online is the exclusive provider of Avid’s Pro Tools certificate curriculum

Required Courses

Berklee Online's Professional Certificate in Music Supervision gives you the skills you need to excel in the field—how to work with songwriters, producers, artists, publishers, directors, and performance rights organizations; how to know whether a given piece of music would fit a mood or scene; and how to navigate the statutes that govern who gets paid for what when a piece of music is licensed for use in film or TV.

Required Courses

From basics like reading and writing music notation and using scales to advanced topics such as modal and pentatonic melodies and harmonic tensions, you’ll leave this music theory program with a concrete foundation in music.

Required Courses

Learn the ins and outs of music theory while you gain an enriched appreciation for how different cultures throughout the ages have contributed to varied practices in melody, harmony, and rhythm. Most importantly, this Professional Certificate Program will prepare you apply knowledge and insights on music theory to your own compositions.

Drawing on the most up-to-date tools and information, this extensive certificate program will help equip you to become a more marketable composer and/or songwriter by offering in-depth instruction in orchestration while also delving into the placement techniques that will help your music find a home--and a paycheck--via TV, movies, video games, and other media.

Required Courses

The Sampling and Sound Design for Electronic Music Professional Certificate Program demystifies topics central to electronic music production and sound design, such as setting up your home recording studio, sampling, digital signal processing, synthesis, MIDI sequencing, mixing, and more.

While there is no “right” or “wrong” way to write a song, there are time-tested tools and techniques that have consistently yielded beloved, memorable music. Studying with Berklee’s accomplished songwriting faculty, you'll delve into lyric writing, melody, harmony, theory, arranging, and strategies employed by some of the all-time great songwriters.

Whether you’re a new or experienced songwriter, and regardless of whether your goal is to write a chart-topper or to just pack a more emotionally powerful punch with your songs, this program will bring out your best work as a songwriter.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional vocalist looking to expand your repertoire, or an amateur who wants to sing more effectively, studying with Berklee’s renowned faculty will give you an understanding of vocal technique across genres that will help you find your own unique voice, literally!

Required Courses

This certificate program offers music theory (intervals, scales, harmony, etc.), ear training (time, rhythm, pitch using the solfege method, etc.), and voice studies (breath, technique, vocal care, etc.)—all knowledge that is tailored to you as a vocalist.

You'll also get access to our course catalog, degree and lesson handbooks, sample lessons, and more.

Berklee Online

Berklee Online is Berklee College of Music's online extension school. With world renowned faculty and unparalleled networking opportunities, Berklee Online brings the best of Berklee to students around the world.

Proof of Bachelor's Degree to Enroll

International students: if your transcript is not issued in English, you will need to provide a copy of a literal English translation as well as a copy of your original (non-translated) academic record.